Lockhart River Airport
Lockhart River Airport (IATA: IRG, ICAO: YLHR) (also known as Iron Range Airport) is an airport in Lockhart River, Queensland, Australia, located approximately 800 km (500 mi) north of Cairns on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula. Being so remote with the road to Lockhart River being unpassable during the tropical wet season, the airport provides a vital transport hub for the community as well as being the only means of freighting in critical medical and other supplies during the summer months.
Lockhart River Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Lockhart River Aerodrome Company Pty Ltd | ||||||||||
| Location | Lockhart River | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 77 ft / 23 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 12°47′13″S 143°18′17″E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  YLHR Location in Queensland | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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History
The airport was constructed during World War II, and was used as a bomber and communications base for many years. Known World War II United States Army Air Forces Fifth Air Force units assigned to Iron Range Airport were:
- 22d Bombardment Group, (29 September 1942 – 4 February 1943)
- 19th Bombardment Squadron, (15 September 1942 – 4 February 1943) B-26 Marauder
- 33d Bombardment Squadron, (29 September 1942 – 4 February 1943) B-26 Marauder
- 90th Bombardment Group, (November 1942 – February 1943) (Headquarters)
- 64th Bombardment Squadron (43d Bombardment Group), (12 October – 8 November 1942) B-17 Flying Fortress
- 65th Bombardment Squadron (43d Bombardment Group), (13 October – 7 November 1942) B-17 Flying Fortress
- 403d Bombardment Squadron (43d Bombardment Group), (17 October – 23 November 1942) B-17 Flying Fortress
In addition, the 479th Service Squadron provided supplies for the B-26 and B-17s assigned to the airport, as well as operating a repair and maintenance depot for B-24 Liberator aircraft.
Airlines and destinations
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Skytrans Airlines | Aurukun, Cairns, Weipa |
Accidents and incidents
On 7 May 2005 a Fairchild Metroliner aircraft crashed 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) north-west of Lockhart River Airport, killing all 15 people on board. The aircraft had flown from Bamaga and was preparing to land at the airport.
See also
References
- YLHR – Lockhart River (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 2023-09-07, Aeronautical Chart Archived 11 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.